BBC: ‘Apple faces iPod patent dispute’

While speaking at the launch of Creative’s latest rival to the iPod video, the Zen Vision: M, Creative CEO Sim Wong has told the BBC he plans to “pursue aggressively” a US patent it owns on a system used to navigate music on digital players. “In August, it (Creative) revealed it had won a patent in the US for the way music tracks are organised and navigated on a player through a hierarchical system using three or more screens,” notes the story. “The announcement prompted speculation that Creative could seek royalties from Apple, though patent cases can drag on for years.” Wong refused to give specifics, but said, “We will pursue all manufacturers that use the same navigation system. This is something we will pursue aggressively.”